Date set for launch from Wallops to International Space Station

Wallops Flight Facility is preparing to launch its first rocket to the International Space Station in more than a year.

Author:
Delmarva Now and Jeremy Cox , WVEC

Published:
12:25 PM EDT October 18, 2017

EASTERN SHORE, Va. (Delmarva Now) -- Wallops Flight Facility is preparing to launch its first rocket to the International Space Station in more than a year.

Orbital ATK's Antares rocket is scheduled to lift off no earlier than Nov. 10, ferrying thousands of pounds of scientific equipment and supplies to the six crew members aboard the station, NASA officials say.

Wednesday morning, NASA officials said Nov. 11 at 7:37 a.m. is their target date and time.

The mission marks the second time the Virginia launch pad has been asked to host a launch since an Oct. 28, 2014, explosion temporarily grounded the program. Since then, Orbital ATK has increasingly turned to its backup facility at Cape Canaveral in Florida to fulfill its $3.1 billion NASA contract.

And it represents Orbital's first launch since Northrop Grumman announced plans in September to purchase the Dulles, Virginia,-based aerospace and defense company for $7.8 billion.